Valve-gear for steam-hammers



(No Model.) A s sheets-sheet 1..

' s. TRBTH'EWEY.

VALVE GEAR FOR STEAM HAMMER$.

Paterited Apr. 2, 1889.

lillllll MN llllllllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN 1H llllllIIIllIIIIIIIIIIlllllllhli1| NoMode'lIj' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2. s. 'TRETHEWEYP VALVE GEAR FOR STEAM HAMMERS.

No. 400,519. Patented Apr. 2,1389.

llllllllllIIlllllllllllllllllllllllllllHllli (No Model.) v v s Sheets-Sheet 3.

- 'TRETHEWEY, VALVE GEAR FOR STEAM HAMMERS.

No. 400,519.7 H '-Pa,tentedApr.2, 1889.

U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL TRETHEWEY, OF PI' FFSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

VALVE-G EAR FOR STEAM-HAM M ERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 400,519, dated April 2, 1889.

Application filed September 19, 1887- Serial No; 250,043. (No model.) v

To all whom it may concern Be itknown that I, SAMUEL TRETHEWEY, of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Valve-Gears for Steam-Hammers; and I do hereby declare the through valve-gear connected to the hammerhead, and thence through levers to the slidevalve which regulated the stroke of the hammer, and in order to increase or decrease the force of the blow of the hammer a separate valve was employed, which regulated the amount of steam admitted to the steam-chest of the slide-valve. This second valve was operated by means of a lever within reach of the hammer-man, either by the foot or by the hand, as he might desire.

The object of my invention is to do away with this second valve and regulate the amount of steam admitted to the cylinder, as well as regulate the stroke, by a single slidevalve, and also improve the lever mechanism by which the slide-valve isoperated automatically from the hammer-head. This I accomplish, primarily, through the employment of a cylindrical slide-valve having ports in its peripheral walls, which, by turning the valve, are arranged to increase or diminish the area of the ports leading from the steam-chest into the cylinder, and thus regulating the amount of steam passing into the cylinder and the force of the blow struck by the hammer. To these ends I have improved the construction both of the slide-valve and the steam-chest, and have provided simple apparatus for rotating the slide-valve within the steam-chest, as hereinafter described. I have also improved the construction of the lever mechanism connecting the slide-valve with the hammer-head.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will describe the'same more fully, referring to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a face view of a steam-hammer having my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a face view, partly broken away, of the steam-cylinder and steam-chest in connection. Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the steam-chest on the line mm, Fig. 2. Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the formof pivotal connection employed between the various parts of the valve-operating-lever mechanism. Fig. 6 is a side view of the slide-valve,and Fig. 7 is a cross-section of the bearing of the valve-opcrating lever, showing certain improvements therein.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in each. p

The steam-hammer frame A may be of any suitable construction, said frame having supported at the top thereof the cylinder B, the piston-rod B of which extends through the stuffing-box B and carries at its lower end the hammer-head O, which moves in bearings c in the hammer frame or body A, said hammer-head carrying the movable die 0'. The hammer is also provided with the anvil-block D, supporting the anvil-die d. At the side of the cylinder B, and supported on the frame A of the hammer, is the steam-chest E, which is provided with the steam-portF and the exhaust-port G. The interior of this steamchest is formed cylindrical, and fitting within this steam-chest is the cylindrical lining H,

.which is supported therein by the annular flange h, which rests on the upper edge of the cylindrical body 6 of the steam-chest, this steam-chest lining having the supply and ex haust ports formed-therein, as hereinafter described. The main steam-supply F opens through the cylinder E into the annular recess f, formed in the lining H, from which annular recess a series of openings or ports, f, open into the interior of the steam-chest through said lining H, to admit the steam from the main supply-port F into the steam chest.

At or near the upper and lower ends of the steam-chest are the cylinder-ports or passages Z,which extend one to one end and the other to the other end of the steam-space of the steam-cylinder, B, these passages communicating With-the annular space 1, formed in the body of thehning H of the steam-chest.

Ports or Openings L L, which extend circumferentially, open through this lining H. into the steam-space of the steam-chest, so that the steam can pass from said steam-space through said ports L L into the annular space I, and thence through the ports or passages Z into the cylinder, and when said ports L orL communicate with the exhausapassages of the steanrchest, as herein after described, the

IO exhauststeam can pass back through said passages, and then through said ports L or L to the exhaust-passage G. One or more of these ports L L may be employed at each end of the cylindrical space of the steam-chest, as

may be desired. The upper end of the cylindrical lining H connnnnicates directly with the exhaust-passage G, so that when the upper port, L, is exposed the exhauststeam can pass directly into the exhaust-passage from the cylinder. The lower end of the lining H is open and communicates with the passages k, which lead to vertical side passages, is, formed within the walls of the steam-chest, said passages 75 opening at the upper ends 2 5 into the enlarged base G of the exhaust-passage G, so that when the lower cylinder-port, L, is exposed the exhaust-steam can pass from the lower side of the piston through said pas sages k 70 into the exhaust-passage G.

Fitting within the cylindrical lining ll of the steam-chest is the slide-valve M, having at each end the cylindrical cup-valve heads on m, the said cup-valves being secured upon the valve-rod M of the slide-valve in the following manner: .At the base of said valve-rod M is the collar m on which the lower cupvalve, on, rests, and fitting around the valverod M is the sleeve m upon the upper end of which the upper cup-valve, m, rests, said cup-valve being inverted and secured upon the valve-rod M by the nut m The valverod M extends through the stuffing-box 6, formed 011 the lower head, E, of the steamchest. Formed in the peripheral walls of the valve-heads m m are the openingsN N, which correspond in size to the openings L L in the lining H, and when the valve is in its normal position register therewith; but if the valie N is turned on its axis these openings N N will lap more or less over the openings L L, and thus vary the area of the port leading from the steam-space between the two heads m m to the cylinder. As the steam enters the steam-space through the openings f in the lining II, it is confined in this space by the heads m m of the valve M, and can only escape by passing through the ports leading to the cylinder, formed by the openings N N and L L. As the valve M reciprocates in the steam-space, the heads on m of the valve, re-

spectively, alternately close and open these ports L L, so that steam is admitted alternately above and below the pistonthe area of the portsand thus the amount of steam entering the cylinder, being varied by turning the valve M so as to cause the openings N N in heads to lap more or less over the openings L L, as heretofore described. By this arrangement the force of the blow of the hammer-head can be accurately adjusted by the hammeranan.

To automatically operate the slide-valve M, I employ a valve-lever apparatus connected with the hammer-head. C and with said slidevalve M. This apparatus consists of the rod b, pivoted at b to the hammer-head C, and pivoted at its opposite end to the crank-lever g, which lever is journaled at the base 9 of the crank to the arm n of the crank-lever n, hereinafter referred to, while the short arm of this lever g is pivoted to the rod 19, which in turn is connected by pivotal connection 9) to the swivel-head p The lower end of the valve-rod M is swiveled to the head If, so as to permit the vavle-rod to turn on its axis. As the hammer-head ascends within its guide 0, it draws up through the arm 1: the crank-lever g, which forces upwardly the rod 1), and through it the valve-rod M and valve M, while on the downward stroke of the cylinder-hcad it draws downwardly the rod 1), which causes the lever g to draw down the rod 1), and through it the valverod M and valve M, the valve as it is thus raised and lowered within the steam-chest causing, first, the valve-port N to coincide with the cylinder-port L, so that the steam will pass into the upper part of the cylinder and force down the piston therein and with it the hammer-head C, and as this hammer head descends with said lever mechanism it draws down the valve M, causing the valve port N to coincide with the cylinder-port L, which permits steam to enter at the base of the cylinder, and at the same time exposes the cylinder-port L above the valve-head m,

so that the steam can exhaust directly into the exhaust-passage G from the upper part of the cylinder. The slide-valve is thus operated automatically by the hammer-head 0 through said lever mechanism, and in the manner usual in such hammers-that is, steam is admitted to the opposite end of the steamcylinderbefore the stroke is finished, so as to act as a cushion for the piston. In order to vary the stroke of the hammer according to the work to be done by it, such as to accommodate it to the desired thickness of the ma-,

terial to be operated upon, or where certain material is turned over upon the anvil during the forging operation, the crank-lever g is, as above stated, journalcd upon the arm n of the crank 11, said crank being journaled in the frame A of the hammer, and having at the opposite side of the frame the hand-lever 01 by which the crank it may be turned, and thus raise or lower the pivotal point g of the crank-lever g. If the pivotal point g of the crank-lever g is lowered by turning the cranklever n, then the length of the stroke of the valve-rod M is increased and this allows the piston of the cylinder B to nearly complete its full stroke before the steam is permitted to exhaust on one side of the piston and enter on the other; butii' the pivotal point g is raised by turning the crank-arm njhefi; the l stroke of the valve-rod M is shorten d tiid't e time between the opening and closing-0t the entryports into the cylinder qniekened, which shortens the stroke of the piston, asthe steam is allowed to exhaustfrom the cylindei before it can force the piston the full length thereof. In order to hold this lever 11 in the desired position, the friction-disk i 7" is formed at the end of the bearing a of the frame A, and a like disk is formed on the operating-handle 11?, as at r, and between said disks 1- and r is placed a paper or othersuitable disk, 0*. The ban dle n audits frictitm= iskV/"is'forced against the friction-disk r by a jam-,nut, n", so that the crank-bar will .remaiiinin whatever position it is turned without the necessity of 'ratchets or other locking means to hold it in a locked position.

In order to rotate the valve M, and thus regulate the amount of steam fed to the cylinder-and the force 0t the blow, as heretofore described, I employ the following means: J ournaled around the stuffing-box e, formed on the base of the lowerhead of the steam-chest E, is the gear-wheel S, which is supported in place by the annular plate 8, secured tothe stufiing-box e, and meshing with this gearwheel S is the segmental gear T, migidly secured to the arm 25, which is mounted in suitable bearings, 25, on the frame A, and extends down in proper position ;to be operated by the workman, and having either a hand-lever, t thereon, as shown, or suitable connections to a footrlever, such as are well known to the ordinary hammerman. The teeth on the rear face of the gear-wheel Sare strifiped, as at s, and as the gear-wheel is turned through the arm t and segmental gear T the absence of teeth at each end of this stripped portion .9. acts as a stop to prevent the gear-wheel S and the valve M from being turned too far. In order to connect said gear-wheel with the piston-rod M, I provide it with the pin s which passes freely through a socket, u, on the end of the arm a, which arm is rigidly secured to the piston-rod M, so that as the piston-rod reciprocates this socket 'u/ reciprocates on the pin .9 By this arrangement when the operator wishes to vary the force of the blow during the operation of the hammer he has only to turn the rod 15 and pinion T, which, through the gear-wheel S, turns the valve M within the casing 11', causing the ports N N in the valve-cups to lap more or less over the ports L L, leading to the cylinder, which varies the area of the entry-port from the steam-space into the cylinder-passages Z, and thus the amount of steam which can fiow to the cylinder. l heyalve'an;il'valverod are permitted to turn without affecting in any manner the automatic lever apparatus by which the reciprocating motion is imparted to them by this swivel-connection of the rod 11 to the valve-rod, as heretofore described. As there is considerable wear upon the journals or pivotal connections between the several rods and levers otthe automatic lever apparatus, I employ to t ke up this wear the form of connecting th joints shown 1n Figs. 4; and 5, the end of one ever or rod fitting between the arms 1: of the other lever, and said lever or arms having formed through the same a taper-hole within which the taper-pin o fits, the said taper-pin having at its upper end a cylindrical lug, v To hold this taper-pin 1n place an arm, w, fits over the lug 0? and extends back some distance, where it 15 bolted to the rod or lever by the bolt w, and as the pivot-holes become worn suitable washers, r may be inserted between the end of the pin and the arm in, these washers being increased in thickness or new washers being placed between the arm and pin as the pin or pin-hole becomes more worn, s that the pin is always held firmly in its seat and the rattling of the parts avoided.

When my improved valve apparatus for automatic steam-hammers is in use, as the hammer-head is raised and lowered by the movement of the piston within the cylinder through the motion transmitted through the bar I) to the lever g, rod 10, and piston-rod M, the valve M slides upwardly and downwardly within the steam-chest, bringing the valveport N in communication with the cylinderport L, and at the same time exposlng the cylinder-port L, so that the steam may be exhausted through the ports to the er haust-passage G, and as the valvem is draw down drawing the valve-port N in commu nication with the cylinder-port L, and at the same time exposing the cylinder-port L, so that the exhaust-steam may pass out through the same into the exhaust-passage G. The hammer is thus automatically operated through the piston within the steam-cylinder B. In order now to regulate the force of the blow of the hammer, the operator, through the lever T or other suitable connection, turns the rod t, which, through thesegmental gear '1, turns the gear-wheel S, which is mounted around the stufling-box e, as above described,

and the pin 8 passing through the socket it, turns the connecting-link it, which is rigidly secured to the piston-rod M, thus imparting a partial rotation to the valve-head,and causing only part of the valveports N N to coincide with the cylinder-ports L L, reducing the amount of steam fed through said ports to the cylinder. The force of the blow is thus regulated through said rod 15 and its connections by turning this cylindrical valve M within the steam-chest by the operator through the same valve which automatically controls the feed and exhaust of the steam to the cylinder.

In case it is desired to increase or diminish the length of the stroke of the hammer-head O by turning the crank-bar n through the hand-lever n before referred to, I am enabled to change the position of the valve M within the steam-chest, and so increase or diminish.

the length of the stroke by raising or lowering the pivotal point g, and by the paper or other friction-disk, r between the frictionsurfaces 7' 7', before referred to, hold this crank-bar n in any desired position.

In case of the wearing of the pivotal connections between the several levers or connections to the base, as above set forth, the taper disk 0; can be set up to take up the wear by the interposition of washers, as at r, between said pin and the securing-arm 11', and all slaek motion overcome.

That I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination of the valve-chest and the cylindrical lining ll, fitting within the valve-chest and having the ports L I, formed therein, and the annular recesses forming annular passages within said valve-chest, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination of the valve-chest having the cylindrical valve-chamber, the valverod M, having the collar m and cup-valve m, sleeve an, and inverted cup-valve m, forming the cylindrical valve M, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In valve apparatus for steam-hannners, the combination of the steam-chest having 9 cylindrical valve-chamber therein and lindrical sliding valve fitting within said team-chest, automatic connections for reeiproeaiing said valve, a link or arm connected to the valvc-rod and carrying a socket at one end thereof, a gear-wheel mounted at the base of the valve-chest, and a pin extending down from said gear-wheel and passingthrough the 1 socket of said arm, substantially as and for l the purposes set forth. 1

4. In valve apparatus for operating steamhannners, the combination of the steam-chest havir 7 the eyilau ieal valve-chamber therein and cylindrical reciprocating valve located in said chamber, a gear-Wheel mounted on the steam-chest, connections between said gearwheel and the valve-rod, and a segmental gear, '1, meshing with said gear-wheel, and means for operating the same, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In valve apparatus for steam-hammers, the combination .of the hammer-head, the steam-chest, lever mechanism between said hammer-head and steam-chest for imparting a reciprocating motion to the valve within said steam-chest, and a swivel-connection between said lever mechanism and the valverod, substantial] y as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a valve apparatusforsteam-hammers, the combination, with the hammer-head and the valve-chest having the sliding valve therein, of the valve-lever mechanism having a crank-lever, a crank-arm to which said crank-lever is pivoted, journaled in bearings in th' frame of t. a hannner, and a frictiondisk on said crank-arm for holding the same in whatever position it is placed, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I, the said SAMUEL TRETHEWEY, have hereunto set my hand.

SAMUEL TRETHEVVEY.

\Vi tnesses:

N. S. STOCKWELL, J. N. COOKE. 

